Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber[edit | edit source]
Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, is a type of carbohydrate derived from plant-based foods. Unlike other carbohydrates, dietary fiber isn't easily digested by the body, but passes relatively intact through the stomach, small intestine, and colon, contributing significantly to digestive health.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Dietary fiber comes in two varieties: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance, aiding in digestion by slowing the passage of food through the digestive system. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, promotes the movement of material through the digestive system and increases stool bulk, beneficial to those struggling with constipation or irregular stools.
Dietary Fiber and Health[edit | edit source]
A diet high in fiber has numerous health benefits. It aids in achieving a healthy weight by inducing feelings of fullness, helps control blood sugar levels, and contributes to heart health by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining bowel health.
Determination of Dietary Fiber[edit | edit source]
The determination of dietary fiber in a nutritional product or meal involves laboratory testing. The procedure typically includes a series of enzymatic and chemical treatments that separate fiber from other food components, followed by gravimetric measurement or measurement of the residue weight. The result indicates the total fiber content, which can be further categorized into soluble and insoluble fiber.
Recommended Intake[edit | edit source]
The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily fiber intake of 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women under 50. For those over 50, the recommendation decreases to 30 grams for men and 21 grams for women.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- "Dietary Fiber". MedlinePlus. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Dietary Fiber". American Heart Association. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- "Dietary Fiber". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
| Dietary fiber Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
